The Manatee Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Amy Farrington will join its staff as Vice President, Public Policy & Small Business, beginning February 3.  Ms. Farrington’s focus will include the Manatee Chamber’s policy development and advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal level, as well as strategic resources for small businesses. 

Ms. Farrington joins the Chamber having served as the Director of Strategic and Administrative Initiatives at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee since 2016. Her prior experience includes public policy leadership positions with the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Jacksonville (FL) Chamber of Commerce. She also served in positions with the Florida Department of State as well as in private practice as an attorney. Ms. Farrington earned her law degree from the University of Florida (UF) College of Law, her M.S.A. in Public Administration from the University of West Florida, and her B.A. from UF.  

“We are thrilled to have Amy joining our team at the Chamber,” said Jacki Dezelski, President & CEO of the Manatee Chamber. “She brings a wealth of knowledge of policy development, an understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the greater Manatee County area, and a commitment to priorities that ensure a strong economic environment supporting local businesses and their employees.”

Ms. Farrington’s current and past community involvement includes the Leadership Manatee program, Dive into Reading, Bridge a Life, ShelterBoxUSA, Bradenton Kiwanis, and the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida Professional Development Leadership program and completed two years of the prestigious U. S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management program.